What is NLP | Confirmation Bias

In this short video, Michael Beale explains the concept of confirmation bias. As someone trying to bring about change, whether for a client, or whether within your business or company, understanding confirmation bias, along with cognitive dissonance and mental maps, is key to being a successful influencer.

What Is Confirmation Bias?

As humans, we make up our minds quite quickly, and once we have made a decision, we only take notice of information that supports that decision. Once you buy a new car – you notice the same model far more than before, for example. Within a work situation, if your boss decides that you are really capable and efficient, she will draw more attention to your successes, and tend to gloss over your mistakes. The same is true in the reverse. If your boss decides that you are no good at your job, then every small error will get picked up, and it is very difficult to convince them that their view is biased.

As a coach, if you can get a client to believe in what you do, they will benefit from working with you. It’s also important to remember that feedback, when it is not wanted, can be incredibly destructive, because it creates a stronger counter argument.